Metal awning



Oct. 13, 1936.; W, SCHUCK 2,057,350

Y METAL AwNING 3 Sheets-.Sheet 1 Filed May 1l, 1955 4,1% '46 In? ggf/@3, J

ot.13,1936. wfSCHUCK 3 3 2,057,350

METAL AWNING Filed May 1v1, 1935 :5 sheets-sheet 2 ATTO R N EYS Oct. 13, 1936.

w. scHucK METAL AWNING Filed May l1, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 nNvENoR Walter Jc/J ack ATToRNEY Patented Oct. 1 3, 1936 2,057,350 METAL AWNING walterschucix, ceaarhurst, N. Y. Vapplicateur May 11, 1035, serial No. 20,910

s claims. (o1. s-4s) This invention relates to metal awnings and has for its object certain improvements in the construction of metalawnings.A The invention relates more particularly to improvements in the construction of sheetI metal awnings;

Although metal awnings have heretofore been proposed, they have had-little or no commercial use. This is, lof course, due in part to the fact that it costs more to make metal `awnings than the conventional cloth awnings. While the cost of metal is greater than that of the cloth, fabri- .cating costs are-also involved. A metal awning is proposed in United States Patent 1,030,493, dated June 25, 1912. Its construction, however, isvsomewhat involved. Another metal awning is proposed in United States Patent 1,795,521, dated March 10, 1931, the construction of which is somewhat simpler.- In both awnings, a series of horizontal sheet metal strips, including a curtain,

Vare hinged and adapted to be folded against one another.

The present invention isconcerned withlixnprovements that simplify the construction of metal awnings, while at the same time making them rugged. They may be easily operated. In accordance with the invention, the bottom portion of the awning is so constructed as to add considerable rigidity to the whole structure. A

l special cross-bar construction is employed for this purpose. The awning curtain is doubly hinged along its upper portion with the cross-bar and the lower horizontal sheet metal cross strip, so as to tend to lock the curtain'and the lower metal strip when the awning is in its open or down position. This gives a combination of rigidity and flexibility to the assembly, prevents the curtain from flapping, and thus insures a noiseless structure.4

The main body of the awning is composed of a plurality of intermediate horizontal metal strips, preferably of substantially uniform width, which arel so hinged that they overlap in the same position when the awning is' closed. Thisv overlapping is so arranged that the metal 'strips always fold relatively to one another in a predetermined direction. l

In a preferred practice, a pair of opposed pintles is provided in selected joints of the horizontal metal strips. These pintles are providedwith a ring at their exterior ends to support an awning cord. The pintles may be withdrawn to break the awning into smaller units `for packing and `shipment. They may be readily reinserted in their hinges for assembly andv installation of the awning.

The invention also contemplates an improved canopy construction. It functions not only as a canopy to cover the awning when in its closed position, Vbut also asa means for supporting the awning against a window frame or the like. 5

The canopy also shelters and supports a pulley housing arrangement that is highly useful and offers an improvement in the operation of awnings. Each housing is provided with a pair of pulleys specially positioned to accommodate an l0 awning cord and to insure easy running of the same.

These and other advantages of the invention will be better understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, and the following de- 15 scription, in which: y

Fig. 1 is a side elevation in section of a metal awning illustrative of the invention, shown in its open position; Fig. 2 is a fragmental section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing a detail of theconstruction of the awning at one of its lower corners; Fig. 3 is a fragmental section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1, showing a detail of the double hinge construction of the awning curtain; 25 Fig. 4 is a fragmentary and enlarged detail in section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, showing the double hinge construction of the awning curtain in conjunction with the cross-bar and gusset constructionin one of the lower corners of the 30 awning.

Fig. 5 is anotherv enlarged fragmentary detail in section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, showing the double hinge construction of the curtain in conjunction with the cross-bar;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation in section of the awning in its closed position;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail in section on the lineV 'l-l of Fig. 6, showing the left hand pulley 40 housing and canopy holding means;

Fig.l 8 is a front elevation of the pulley housing 'and canopy `holding means shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the canopy'holding means shown particularly in Figs. 6, 7 and 45 8; and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the awning in its closed position, with fragments broken awayV to disclose the pulley housings'and canopy holding means. 50

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, the awning shown comprises a curtain Il, a lower horizontal sheet metal strip I2, intermediate horizontal sheet metal strips I3,` M, I5, I6, and an upper .horizontalsheet metal s trip I1. 'Ihe cur- 55 tain is shown with a. scalloped lower fringe. Its sides are preferably turned back to form an overlap, which strengthens" the curtain. It is clear that the curtain and strips may be treated toshow anyl desired design for ornamental purposes. The awning is provided on each side with a side arm I3 attached to a window frame Il, or the like, by means of a clevis 20. The far end of the side arms terminates in side rod ends 2l, such as ornamental spear heads. Running flexible cords 22 extend from the inner ends of the spear heads across the horizontal sheetv metal strips to pulley housings 23 located directly underneath a canopy 24 at the upper end of the awning.

The side arm I3 is preferably made of metal tubing, the end fastened to the window casing being screwed into a side rod end 25-that is pivotally connected to the clevis by means of a'clevis screw 26. The other end of thelside arm I6 is provided with internal screw threads adapted to receive the indented end of a side rod stud 21. 'I'he diameters of the stud and side arm are the The other end of the side rod stud ,is threaded to receive the spear head. The side rod stud may thus be regarded as an extension of the side arm itself.

The side arms I8 are spaced a predetermined distance by means of a spaceror cross-bar 28. A sheet metal gusset plate 29vconnects each end of the spacer-bar with the remote end of the side arm I8 and its side arm stud 21. 'I'he gusset plate is riveted along one side thereof to the spacerbar. The outer edge portion of the gusset plate is bent over itself, as shown in Fig. 2, to form a hollow interior or cylindrical side 30 adapted to receive the remote end of the side arm I8 and its side rod stud 21. The bent over edge portion of 'the gusset plate is riveted or otherwise attached to itself, such 'as by spot welding. The side rod stud 21 is permanently fastened on` theinside of the cylindrical side 30, such as by rivets 3| extending completely through the side walls of the cylindrical portion andthe stud. Means, such as a hole 32, are provided near the remote end of the cylindrical portion of the gusset plate for attaching the running flexible cord 22. The hypotenuse edge 33 of the gusset plate is advantageously bent over itself in order to stiften the gusset plate.

A spacer-bar hinge section 34 (Figs. 4 and 5), preferably constructed of thin sheet metal, is attached to the under side of the spacer-bar 28, such as by means of rivets or spot welding. A so-called "piano" hinge is 'formed by means of notched portions of the sheet metal extending beyond the far side of the spacer-bar and turned over into the form of small cylindrical sections to form pintle eyelets 35. A curtain secondary hinge section 36 is attached to the curtain II, such as by rivets or spot welding, directly below the spacer-bar 28. The secondary hinge section 36 is provided with notched side portions bent around into small cylindrical sections to form pintle eyelets 31, so alternated as to be in alignment with the pintle eyelets 35 of the spacer-bar hinge sections. A pintle 3B, in the form of a round bar of metal, extends completely through the aligned pintle eyelets. The ends of the pintle preferably terminate with the side edges of the curtain II.

The upper portion 39 of the curtain extends an appropriatel distance above and over the spacerbar 26 and the pintle 36. This upper portion of the curtain is advantageously bent in or indented to form a rounded shoulder 40, protruding over u the hinge forming' around the pintle 33. The upper portion of the curtain is bent around alonk its longitudinal edge in notched sections to form pintle eyelets 4I.

The lower sheet metal strip I2 has its lower lon'- gitudinal portion 42 bent in the form .of anobtuse angle 43. 'Ihis lower longitudinal portion is in turn bent back over itself in the form of an under lap 44, the upper edge portion 45 of which isbent to conform to the obtuse angle 43. This upper edge portion is notched in spaced sections, the notched sections being bent around to form pintle eyelets 46 adapted to be aligned with the pintle eyelets 4I of the curtain II. A pintle 41 extends completely through the aligned pintle eyelets, to form another piano hinge that may be regarded as a' curtain primary hinge. In the construction shown,r the curtain primary hinge is stationed directly above the curtain secondary hinge and above the obtuse angle 43. The lower longitudinal portion 42 of the metal strip I2, to-

side of the curtain II along its upper longitudinal portion, and thus operates as an effective stop to gether with its underlap 44, leans against the outmovement of the curtain. In other words, the

. construction shown tends more or less to lock the curtain II and the lower sheet metal strip I2 when the awning is in its open position, conforming to the obtuse angle 43. The size of the obtuse angle is i'lxed so that the curtain hangs vertically when the awning is down, and the lower metal strip I2 has a slant conforming substantially to that of the other metal strips.

Lower sheet metal strip I2 is pivotally attached to the intermediate sheet metal strip I3 by means of apiano hinge 48. A/The upper longitudinal portion of metal sheet I2 is provided with an indented shoulder portion 49 bent back over itselfl in an overlap to form a double thickness of sheet metal. The lower edge of the overlap is notched in sections, which are bent around into pintle eyelets. The eyelets in turn fit at least .in part within the indented shoulder portion of the metal strip I2. The lower longitudinal edge portion of intermediate metal sheet I3 is also notched and bent around into pintle eyelets, which are aligned with those of sheet I2. 'A pintle extends completely through the aligned eyelets. The indented shoulder portion 49 of the metal sheet I2 extends an appropriate distance under the lower portion of the intermediate metal sheet I3, to assist in locking the two adjacent metal sheets along their f joint when the awning is down and thus cause the two sheets always to fold toward one another in the same pre-arranged direction. In the case of sheets I2 and I3, their outer surfaces will always adjoin one another when the awning is closed. 'Ihe indented shoulder portion 49 effectively prevents the two metal sheets from folding in the opposite direction.

A similar form of piano hinge construction is provided between intermediate horizontal metal strips I4 and I5, as well as between intermediate metal strip I6 and upper metal strip I1.

Intermediate metal strips I3 and I4 are likewise joined by means of a piano hinge 50. In this case the uppery edge of metal sheet I3 is notched and the sections thereof `are bent around into 'pintle eyelets. Sheet metal strip I4 has its lower portion 5I bent back under itself to form a double bend, the upper edge of the underlap being notched and the sections thereof are bent around into pintle eyelets, which are aligned with the pintle eyelets of sheet metal strip I3. Two pintles 52 are fitted into these eyelets from opposite directions, each pintle extending halfway in a similar manner, twooppos'ed pintles, likefthe units when the awning is to be installed.

Since theawning cords are drawnl tautly, the

wise, being used, so that the awning cord may be supported through the outer'rings of the pintles.`

These opposed pintles have the advantage that they may be pulled out 4of their pintle eyelets, and the adjacent metal strips may then be disconnected, so that the awning may be broken into smaller units for packing into a relatively small space for convenient shipping. At the same time this pintle construction permits easy assembly of pintle halves will stay in position.

vIt will be noted that the hinges are alterna--I tively disposed with respect to their return-bend portions. Thisconstruction insures a semi-rigid arrangement of the metal strips, and causes the strips always to fold in the same predetermined direction.

'Ihe canopy 24 serves a four-fold function. In addition to acting as a cover to the awning when closed, it accommodates a pulley housing 53, holding means 54 for attaching the awning to a window frame, or similar support, and a hinge 55 to connect with the upper metal strip I1.

The canopy comprises a bent over roof portion 56 adapted to cover the awning when in its closed A position. The outer edge of the roof .is preferably beaded to give added rigidity. The back wall 51 of the canopy is integral with the bent over roof portion. In the construction shown, the roof portion of the canopy covers-a left hand pulley housing at one end, and a right Ihand pulley housing at the otherend. The pulley housing consists of an outer metal casing 58 in which are located an upper pulley 59 and a lower pulley 50. The first pulley is located close to the roof, and to the front of thecanopy, preferably clear of the side edges of the'metal strips, and is attached to the housing by means of a rivet. This pulley is aligned to accommodate the flexible cord 22 extending through the pintles, A portion of the metal housing is cut away, as shown, so that the cordvmay have free and unimpeded access to the pulley. The second pulley is located at the rear of the metal housing, at a right angle to the` first pulley. 'Ihis pulley is located at a convenient level below vthe rst pulley so that the awning ,cord may be drawn across the top of the first pulley and underneath the second pul1ey,-in the case of the left hand pulley housing.

The right hand pulley housing is constructed in substantially the same manner, except that the pulleys are oppositely arranged. In the case of the right hand housing, the awning cord from` the left hand housing extends across thertop of the second or lower pulley in the right hand pulley housing. The awning cordon the right hand side of the awning passes over the first or upper pulley of the right hand housing. Both cords drop vertically along side of one another, and are jointly pulled or released to operate the awning.

In the case of both pulley housings, in the construction shown, a bent over shoulder portion 6I of the roof of the canopy is riveted to-the pulley housing, to keep the housing in position. The inner end 52 of the pulley housing adjacent to -s'tantially flush support. The holding means comprises a flat faced holdbe packed in a relatively provided with a slotted a similarly slotted hole the canopy, adapted to ing means 54.

provided with an indented portion 55, as shown, to accommodate the holding means 54, so that the back wall and the holding means may be subwith the window casing or other hole 63 registering with 54 in the back wall of ycooperate with the hold- 'I'he back wall 51 of the canopy is ing stud base 56 adapted to ilt within the indented back wall portion 65 of the canopy. The holding base is provided with two countersunk holes to accommodate securing screws 61, countersunk bolts or the like, which it into the window frame-or other awning support employed. One side of the holding baseis provided with a stud bolt 6'8 and a nut 59. A self-locking nut is preferably employed.

f A ring holder 10 is attached to the crossor spacer-bar 28 at its midsection. A ring 1l is held by .the holder, and carries a cord 12 which is employed to hold the awning taut when it is'in its closed to a window sill in the conventional manner.

In closing the awning, the cords 22 are simultaneously pulled. They support the hinged horizontalmetal stripsat the pintle'rings 52. .As shown, the hinges are so arranged that when the metal strips are ,folded the alternate hinges with pintles52 are always uppermost (see Fig. 6). The folded part of the awning may be pulled under the roof of the canopy.

When closed or open the awning oiers protection against rain and snow in the use of an upper window as a ventilator. The upper window may for example be lowered' several inches or more. 'I'he awning provides a passageway for the movement of air through the lowered upper window,

`awning in its closed position.

From .the foregoing description, it will be seen that the improvements in the awning of the invention oier a number of important advantages. The awning is so constructed that, it may small space for shipment; lt may be readily assembled and installed. It may be taken down easily. The metal strips are so jointed or hinged that the awning as a whole is substantially noiseless in wind or storm. I claim: l

1. In. a metal awning, the improvement com- 'prising a sheetmetal curtain provided with a primary and a secondary hinge, the primary hinge joining the curtain along its upperI edge with a lower horizontal sheet metal strip, and the secondary hinge joiningthe curtain below its primary hinge with a cross-bar extending horizontally across the front and fastened to side arms of the awning.

2. A metal awning according to the" preceding claim, in which the lower longitudinal portion of the horizontal sheet metal strip is bent back over itself. to form an underlap, the resulting double thickness of sheet metal being bent into the form of an obtuse angle, and the upper edge of the underlap being hinged to the curtain whereby the underlap rests against the outside of the curposition, such as by fastening the cord but' keeps out rain or snow. 'I'hls arrangement is particularly desirable with the.

tain along its upper longitudinal portion when I the awning is vdown and operates as an effective stop to movement oi. the curtin. v

3. In a metal awning, the improvement comprising acurtain, a cross-bar fastened at each end to a side arm, a series of folding horizonspaced paralleled relationship, the upper curtain hinge being vpivotally connected to the first o! said series of horizontal sheet metal strips,- and the lower curtain hinge being pivotally connected to said cross-bar.

" 4. A metal awning according to the preceding claim. inl which the last of said series ot horizontal sheet metal strips is hinged to a canopy adapted to cover the awning when folded.

5. A metal awning according .to claim `3, in which alternate hinges pivotally connecting the horizontal sheet metal strips are provided with running cord supporting means.

6. A metaLawning according to claim 3, in which alternate sheet metal strips are hinged by means of removable opposedpintlevs, the outer ends of said pintles being provided with rings to support an awning cord.

7. A metal awning according to claim 3, in which the sheet metal strips are pivotally connected by means of hinges provided with alternate underand over-laps to prevent the metal strips from sagging unduly when the awning is opened and to insure a predetermined direction of. folding of the metal strips when the awning is closed.

8. Ina metal awning, the improvement comprising a horizontal sheet metal strip, the lower portion of the metal strip being bent in the form of an obtuse angle and back on itself in the form of an underlap, the upper edge portion of the underlap being bent to extend beyond the obtuse angle, hinge means provided on the upper edge portion of the underlap extending beyond the obtuse angle, a curtain hinged to a spacer-bar, the upper portion of the curtain being indented over the spacer-bar and toward the hinge means on said underlap, and hinge means provided on the upper edge of the indented portion ot the curtain, the curtain and the horizontal metal strip being pivotally connected through their respective hinge means whereby the curtain and 'the metal strip are rigidly held open in the obtuse angle position when the awning is down" and said underlap acts as a stop to further movement of the curtain.

WALTER SCHUCK. 

